Oscar Garcia: Barça shouldn't sign players just because they can

On Thursday I watched an interview with Johan Cruyff on Sky Sports. Everyone knows Johan, but it’s always worth listening to what he has to say. And from this interview, one part stayed with me: “The style of play is first. Results and money come in second place.” 

This isn’t something new, but it’s good to have a refresh when we are questioning everything. “The style of play,” has plenty of meaning at Barça and can be read in many ways, but it’s directly referring to the Mini Estadi, La Masia and the club’s philosophy. 

Win at all costs? Or do everything you believe in in an attempt to win? They seem the same, but they’re not. “Give me trebles,” a friend of mine, who believes the the days of the academy have expired, regularly repeats. And it surprises me to read the same sentiment from many great footballers… I reply to my friend that trebles have been won with players from the academy and a style a intact. 

Now Messi, Vermaelen and Iniesta are injured and we know that Rafinha is out until at least April, the argument that Barcelona have to sign new players has become common place — there’s no other option. It’s much easier and more fun to play ‘who can Barça sign’ than to stay calm and wait until January, when everyone will be fit again (minus Rafinha) and Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will be available. 

With the scene as it is, the question is short and sweet: Do you have confidence in Munir and Sandro? If the answer is yes, and I believe Luis Enrique has given the signals to suggest, for him, it is, then the conclusion is that the need for signings is not urgent. 

Messi is unique and irreplaceable, while Iniesta, Busquets and Pique carry huge weight within the team and the club — just as Xavi, Puyol and Valdes did. But by their side have been other academy products who without hitting the same level of excellence, have been brilliant colleagues. 

From Pedro’s long stay in the first team, to the more fleeting ones from Thiago and Tello, it’s been demonstrated that the club can and must have confidence in the academy. And that is how the club must be. There’s an exception front three and players of the very top level… but you can’t think about only having stars in your squad when you can only play 11 a week and you must maintain a squad of at the very least 18. 

Cruyff also said that the the money “must be on the pitch and not in the bank,” but to have it on the bench could be as dangerous as it is useless. To sign players for the sake of it is a dangerous fashion which Barça in the past knew nothing about. It is scary to think that idea could not be instilled at a club who not so long ago won it all with an idea they said was not up for debate.